Coleus forskohlii Extract 10–40% Forskolin

The tuberous root of Coleus forskohlii, a mint-family herb cultivated in southern India, is the only part used in this extract, and the leaf and stem are excluded. Ethanol extraction takes up the labdane diterpenes of the root cork and cortex, and the concentrate is dried to a light brown powder.

Forskolin is measured by HPLC, with a primary grade of 40% and a lower grade of 10%. The powder is 80 mesh and insoluble in water. The 40% grade fits capsules and tablets that need a small fill, while the 10% grade fits blends and oil-based fills in which the root matrix is wanted at higher inclusion.

SKU: BOT-STX-0130 Category: Standardized Extracts Tags: Coleus, Ethanol Extracted, Root & Rhizome, Softgels & Oil Fills, Standardized Extracts, Terpenoids

Forskolin Standardization & Grades

Forskolin is a labdane diterpenoid with a fused ring system and an acetyl ester, and it is the compound that defines the root of this plant. It occurs with a small family of related labdanes such as 9-deoxyforskolin and 1,9-dideoxyforskolin. The botanical entity is Coleus forskohlii (Willd.) Briq., and the extract is standardized to forskolin because it is the single, measurable compound that distinguishes the root from other mint-family material.

Grade	Assay & Method	Where It Fits
10% Forskolin	HPLC	Blends and oil-based fills, higher inclusion
40% Forskolin	HPLC	Capsules and tablets, small fill weight

Grade choice follows dose and fill weight. The 40% grade carries four times the forskolin of the 10% grade per gram, so a capsule reaches its target with less powder, while the 10% grade is bulkier and easier to blend. Coleus is also supplied as a 10:1 ratio extract without a marker figure, the Coleus Forskohlii Extract Powder, and as a single compound, Forskolin 98%. The standardized extract is the row to use when a forskolin figure has to appear in the specification of the Coleus forskohlii extract.

Forskolin Analysis & Purity Risks

HPLC separates forskolin from its related labdanes on a reversed-phase column and quantifies the peak against a reference standard. Detection is at a low UV wavelength because the diterpene has only a weak chromophore, so baseline control and a well-chosen gradient decide whether neighboring peaks are resolved. The result is forskolin specifically. A gravimetric diterpene total or a UV reading would count other material, and neither can be converted into the HPLC figure.

For identity, the fingerprint of the root is read beside forskolin. The related labdanes, such as 9-deoxyforskolin, appear as smaller neighboring peaks, and their pattern helps to confirm the material is Coleus root and not a synthetic or semi-synthetic derivative. The characteristic odor of the root and a thin-layer pattern are also read as simple checks.

Purity risks follow from the botanical group. The plant is a member of a large genus in which the taxonomy has been revised, and databases place it under a different accepted name, so the stated species and the stated root part are part of the identity. Ornamental coleus (Coleus scutellarioides) and Indian borage (Coleus amboinicus) are different plants without forskolin. Root content varies with cultivar, soil and age at harvest, which is why the figure of the starting material is checked.

Sample preparation uses ethanol or methanol to dissolve the diterpene, and the extract is filtered before injection. Forskolin carries an ester group that can hydrolyze in alkaline solution, so prepared samples are kept neutral or slightly acidic and analyzed promptly.

Raw material handling also matters. Roots are harvested at maturity, washed, sliced and dried at moderate temperature, because forskolin sits mainly in the cork layer and heat loss lowers the yield. Soil residue is removed carefully, since it raises ash.

Typical Specifications

Specification Item	Product Information
Latin Name	Coleus forskohlii
Plant Part	Root & Rhizome
Processing	Ethanol Extraction
Compound Class	Terpenoids
Common Name	Coleus, Forskohlii
Ingredient Type	Standardized Extract
Marker Compound(s)	Forskolin
Primary Grade	40% Forskolin (HPLC)
Available Grades	10% · 40% Forskolin (HPLC)
Appearance	Light Brown powder
Solubility / Dispersibility	Insoluble in Water
Quality Parameters
Moisture (LOD)	≤5.0%
Total Ash	≤5.0%
Particle Size	80 mesh
Heavy Metals	Lead ≤2 ppm · Arsenic ≤1 ppm · Cadmium ≤1 ppm · Mercury ≤0.1 ppm
Microbiology	TPC ≤1,000 cfu/g · Yeast & Mold ≤100 cfu/g · E. coli Negative · Salmonella Negative/25 g
Shelf Life	24 months in unopened original packaging, cool and dry storage

Applications by Grade

40% Grade for Compact Capsules

The 40% grade of Coleus forskohlii extract reaches a forskolin target in a small fill, which suits compact capsules. The lipophilic powder clings to hopper walls, so a flow agent and a dry room keep fill weights steady.

10% Grade in Oil-Based Fills

The 10% grade disperses readily in an oil carrier, which suits softgel-style or liquid-fill capsules. Mill the powder fine before dispersion, because coarse diterpene particles settle in the oil and lead to uneven dosing. Hold the fill under gentle agitation as it is dispensed, and weigh capsules at intervals through the run.

40% Grade in Tablet Blends

Tablets made from the 40% grade call for a dry binder and a glidant, since the waxy extract can stick to punches in humid rooms. A film coat limits dust and covers the earthy, bitter taste of the root, and a hardness check after a month of storage shows whether the tablet has softened.

10% Grade in Sachet Blends

In sachets, the 10% grade is diluted with a bulking carrier so that the filler can meter an accurate dose of the root extract. The extract is insoluble in water, so the label should call for stirring, and a fine grind avoids visible specks.

10% Grade in Sports-Nutrition Powders

Sports-nutrition powders carry the 10% grade at a practical gram weight alongside other ingredients. Its earthy taste sits under cocoa or coffee flavors, and the label should advise shaking, since the powder floats on water. A little lecithin or a wetting agent in the premix helps it sink and disperse.

40% Grade for Contract Blending

Contract blenders take the 40% grade as a concentrated component for multi-ingredient powders. Blend in stages, because a low inclusion of a concentrated powder segregates, and verify uniformity on a test batch before scaling. Sample the blend from several depths, because a fine, light powder stratifies during transport.

Technical & Quality Considerations

Coleus forskohlii extract is a light brown powder with a mild, earthy, slightly woody odor, and the Coleus forskohlii extract keeps that character across both grades. The root extract does not dissolve in water, so liquids need a suspension system or an oil carrier. Forskolin dissolves in ethanol and in lipid phases but not in water, which is why oily or alcoholic phases give a more uniform dispersion than an aqueous mix.

Forskolin is stable in dry form but sensitive to alkaline conditions, where its ester can hydrolyze, and to strong light. Alkaline mineral premixes and high-pH beverages are therefore less suitable than neutral or mildly acidic bases. The root matrix darkens slowly in humid air through oxidation of its phenolics, so desiccated, sealed packaging holds the shade of the lot.

In production, the root extract is sieved, premixed with part of the carrier and checked by weighing the first capsules. Keep drums sealed and flushed with nitrogen if the lot will be stored for months. Closed charging and local extraction limit the fine brown dust that otherwise collects on equipment.

Formulation with other ingredients needs a trial. Fillers with strong alkalinity can affect forskolin, and moisture from hygroscopic ingredients such as certain amino acids can promote caking. A short accelerated stability study at elevated temperature shows early whether the combination is sound. Opaque packs protect the diterpene from light, and a silica gel sachet in the bottle holds the powder free-flowing.

Packaging & Commercial Supply

Essencefield supports product evaluation, formulation trials, commercial orders, and ongoing ingredient supply. Packaging, storage, and shipping arrangements are determined by product characteristics, order quantity, stability requirements, and destination-market needs.

Supply Item	General Information
Sample	Available upon request for formulation, testing, and supplier evaluation
Order Quantities	100 g · 1 kg · 5 kg · 25 kg · 100 kg · 500 kg · Bulk
Sample Lead Time	Typically 5–7 days after sample confirmation
Production Lead Time	Typically 15–30 days after order and specification confirmation
Packaging	Suitable protective inner packaging with bags, cartons, drums, or other appropriate outer packaging
Storage	Store in tightly sealed, suitable protective packaging in a cool, dry environment. Protect from moisture, heat, and direct sunlight. Specific storage conditions follow the approved product specification.
Documentation	COA · Product Specification · TDS · SDS · Applicable declarations (as applicable)

Final order quantities, lead times, packaging, documentation, and shipping arrangements are confirmed according to the selected product and commercial requirements.